Ex-Navajo Nation Council delegate gets 90-day jail sentence

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) – A former Navajo Nation Council delegate accused of misusing the tribe’s discretionary fund has been sentenced to 90 days in a Window Rock jail and ordered to pay nearly $26,000 in restitution.

George Arthur also was sentenced Monday to three months of supervised probation and ordered by a District Court judge to write a letter of apology to the tribal chapters he represented.

After his release from jail, Arthur must pay the Navajo Nation about $540 per month to cover the $25,900 in restitution.

He earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in official and political matters.

Arthur was one of 17 former Navajo Nation lawmakers accused of abusing a financial assistance program designed to help tribal members facing hard times.

Ten of those delegates were sentenced in August.